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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Athens area jobless rate climbs slightly
he number of unemployed workers in the Athens metro area of Clarke, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties rose by 159 people in January, taking the February jobless rate to 8.4 percent, the state Labor Department reported this morning.

Small Biz: Closet more like a boutique
Carol Tamborello often shopped at consignment stores to find clothing for her two girls, who currently are 10 and 11 years old, and in the back of her mind the wife and mother nurtured an interest in opening her own place.

New Apple tablet garners buzz, opens new doors
SEATTLE - Apple has a knack for spotting problems we didn't know we had. It can leave us wondering how we survived without vast libraries of music and TV shows in our pockets or the comfort of knowing "there's an app for that."

Hayden: Good leaders recognize importance of planning
With a new year underway, many organizations start thinking of the future. However, they need not worry about the "maybes" that are found. Instead, forward-thinking organizations will look ahead to what the group can realistically offer to make positive things happen.

Brief Cases: Urban Sanctuary moving to Boulevard
Urban Sanctuary, a Five Points spa that opened nearly five years ago, is moving to Boulevard in late March to accommodate the need for more space, said Candice Courcy, a partner in the venture.

Cole -Tuttle engagement
Dr. David A. Cole and Dr. Claudia M. Cole of Athens, Georgia, are pleased to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Lynnette Beverly Cole, to James Alexander Tuttle of Athens, Georgia, son of Mr. Terry Tuttle and Mrs. Betsy Tuttle of North Andover, Massachusetts.

Parker 60th anniversary
Cynthia and Reid Parker recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a family dinner at the Creek Club at Reynolds Plantation.

Visitor says jewelry lost while in Athens
A Roberta woman complained to Athens-Clarke police on Friday that $1,700 of jewelry went missing from a room at Gameday Condos nearly four months ago, according to a police report.

Student assaulted in UGA dormitory
A University of Georgia student reported another student she knows raped her in an East Campus Village dorm room between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday, UGA police said. The woman did not want to press charges, but police said they would keep evidence from a rape exam in case she changed her mind.

Burglar takes cab to get to home
A burglar broke into a home on North Avenue between 10 p.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday, but didn't take anything, according to an Athens-Clarke police report.

Teen says bully made him steal
Officers did not immediately charge a teenager who was caught shoplifting at the Alps Road Kroger on Thursday because the boy claimed someone threatened to kill him if he didn't steal, Athens-Clarke police said.

Athens man jailed on dumping charge
A 52-year-old Athens man was jailed Thursday on two felony counts of illegal dumping for leaving debris from an apparent home renovation in a wooded area in the 700 block of Olympic Drive, Athens-Clarke police said.

Police investigate morning break-ins
Athens-Clarke police responded to a burglar alarm at Quick Pantry, 115 North Ave., and found a glass door broken, but still in place about 5:40 Saturday morning.

Electronics taken in home burglary
Thieves broke through the back door of a home in the 700 block of Nantahala Avenue between 4:40 and 7 p.m. Thursday and stole a laptop computer, a flat-screen TV, a digital camera and cash with a total value of $8,500, Athens-Clarke-police said.

Bulldogs lose one commit, gain two
Another player who was on Georgia's 2010 commitment list is now planning to sign with Louisville, but the Bulldogs gained a pair of commitments Saturday for its 2011 class.

Willie Martinez lands at Stanford
Former Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez has been hired to coach defensive backs at Stanford, according to Cardinal Report.com, a Web site that covers the program.

State budget looking 'funny'
Gov. Sonny Perdue wants to shave almost $350 million from the state's budget for higher education, including the University of Georgia, over the next year and a half - and the cuts could get deeper once state lawmakers get through with the budget.

Panel studies texting ban
A study committee could vote as early as next week, paving the way for state lawmakers to ban texting while driving.

State's House 'hawks' get their wings clipped
ATLANTA - The "Ralston Revolution" in the Georgia House moved into high gear Thursday when representatives approved a resolution that officially does away with the "hawks" system, changes the way the Rules Committee operates and reopens the House floor to reporters.

Gym Dogs fall to Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. - The No. 8 Georgia gymnastics team's road woes continued Friday as the Gym Dogs were forced to count a fall in the final rotation on beam and lost to No. 15 Auburn, 195.225-194.900.

Bianca N. Gentry: Bring comfort to Haiti's children
I'm impressed with the efforts of fellow Athenians in bonding together to support the people of Haiti, and would love to see more coverage of local initiatives in the Banner-Herald. Everywhere we look, someone seems to be doing something to help victims of the recent massive Haitian earthquake. It's inspiring to see how generous our community can be.

Time to get organized
Called "the most organized person on Earth," Deniece Schofield has words of hope for even the most hopelessly muddled among us - all is not lost.

Spotted: The focus is on you
Patrons of the Year: The Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries recently recognized "Buddy" Heyward Allen Jr. and his wife, Lucy Allen, of Athens as "Patrons of the Year" for their service to the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia.

Rossiter: Keeping tradition of Southern cooking alive
It wasn't just the promise of melt-in-your-mouth macaroni and cheese that made Rebecca Lang put the pen in her grandmother's hand. Lang wanted to preserve the elder woman's experience. "I'd rather have the recipes than pictures," she explained.

Smith: Medical debate not so healthy
Debate about the medical plan - particularly since no one seems to agree on anything - makes one more suspicious of Congress than ever. I hear some suggest it is the president's fault. More often than not, the prevailing view is that it is the fault of the insurance companies that there is no consensus.

Lewis: Grateful for the right to write, be a mother
A little more than seven years ago, I was out for a walk with my 1-year-old who was repeatedly tossing her sippy and snack cups out of her stroller and into the street. It was one of many instances during which I recognized the fine line between giving in to the moment with a smile and losing my cool.

Rich: Back in 1937, times were hard, faith prevailed
When she talked about those tribulations back in 1937, her feeble voice crackled with both age and emotion. With more than 70 years separating then from now, the grief still lingered, but wisdom had covered it like moss on a riverbank.

Kentucky bounces back against Vandy
LEXINGTON, Ky. - DeMarcus Cousins posted his 12th double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds as No. 1 Kentucky bounced back from an upset loss to South Carolina with a 85-72 win over No. 21 Vanderbilt on Saturday.

In rare exchange, Obama faces off with GOP brass
BALTIMORE - In a remarkably sharp face-to-face confrontation, President Obama chastised Republican lawmakers Friday for opposing him on taxes, health care and the economic stimulus, while they accused him in turn of brushing off their ideas and driving up the national debt.

Drivers' confusion, anger grow
Toyota executives have been virtually silent amid a recall of millions of their cars because gas pedals can become dangerously stuck. For their customers, oh, what a feeling - fear, frustration, confusion and anger.

For now, U.S. troops more than welcome
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Young men gripping a steel fence along Port-au-Prince's waterfront call out "Hi, Sir!" to two U.S. Army soldiers, pleading for jobs as translators, drivers, laborers.

Quake victims at risk without U.S. airlifts
MIAMI - The U.S. military has halted flights carrying Haitian earthquake victims to the United States because of an apparent cost dispute, though a doctor warned that some injured patients faced death if the flights don't resume.

Obama seeks funds to boost security
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is proposing a $200 million fund to help pay for security costs in cities hosting the trials of accused terrorists such as Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

Backlash may move 9/11 trial from NYC
WASHINGTON - Pressured by a growing clamor from New York, the Obama administration is considering moving the trial of Sept. 11 terror suspects away from Manhattan, where it had been scheduled just blocks from the site of the twin towers attack.

NATO airstrike prompts Afghan outrage
KABUL - A joint U.S.-Afghan force called in an airstrike on what turned out to be an Afghan army post after taking fire from there before dawn Saturday, killing four Afghan soldiers and prompting an angry demand for punishment from the country's defense ministry.

Push to send trailers to Haiti stirs outrage
INDIANAPOLIS - The trailer industry and lawmakers are pressing the government to send Haiti thousands of potentially formaldehyde-laced trailers left over from Hurricane Katrina - an idea denounced by some as a crass and self-serving attempt to dump inferior American products on the poor.

Man found guilty in abortion murder case
WICHITA, Kan. - Jurors swiftly convicted an abortion opponent of murder Friday for shooting to death one of the only doctors to offer late-term abortions in the U.S., a killing the gunman claimed was justified to save the lives of unborn children.

U.S.-Taiwan deal ruffles China's feathers
BEIJING - China suspended military exchanges with the United States, threatened unprecedented sanctions against American defense companies and warned Saturday that cooperation would suffer after Washington announced $6.4 billion in planned arms sales to Taiwan.

Amazon pulls Macmillan books in flap over pricing
NEW YORK - New copies of Hilary Mantel's "Wolf Hall," Andrew Young's "The Politician" and other books published by Macmillan were unavailable Saturday on Amazon.com, a drastic step in the ongoing dispute over e-book prices.

Pearl Harbor merging with nearby Hickam
HONOLULU - Most Americans have heard of the naval base at Pearl Harbor. Some are also aware of the air base next door called Hickam, where Japanese planes destroyed U.S. bombers during the 1941 aerial attack.

Suicide bomber kills two at Iraqi restaurant
BAGHDAD - A suicide bomber detonated an explosives belt Saturday at a restaurant popular with Iraqi security forces in a city that was once a flash point for sectarian slaughter, killing at least two people, authorities said.

Suspicious N.Y. fire kills five immigrants
NEW YORK - A suspicious fire tore through a building that housed Guatemalan immigrants, gnawing gaping holes in the structure's backside, partially collapsing the roof and killing at least five people Saturday.

Hamas: Israel killed top operative in Dubai
DAMASCUS, Syria - A senior Hamas commander was assassinated last week in a Dubai hotel room by electrocution, the Palestinian militant group said Friday. It accused Israel of killing him and vowed to avenge his death.

Toyota sending pedal fixes to dealerships
DETROIT - Toyota Motor Corp. plans to start sending parts to dealers in the coming days to fix a sticky gas pedal problem that has tarnished its image and led to the recall of 4.2 million cars and trucks on three continents, according to people briefed on the matter.

Stocks fall as GDP rises, raises questions
NEW YORK - Stocks ended a disappointing January with a loss as investors questioned whether the economy will be able to sustain its big fourth-quarter growth rate. Downbeat earnings at technology companies also pulled stocks down.

Budget plan tightens school squeeze
Georgia teachers might have to worry about more than furloughs as school administrators begin preparing their budgets for next school year.

Auction to benefit Women Build effort
Athens Area Habitat for Humanity will hold its third annual "Home Is Where the Heart Is" Art Auction at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Hotel Indigo to raise money for the group's Women Build campaign.

Corps to recognize distinguished alumnus
The Navy Supply Corps Foundation will name Cmdr. Eugene Miller, of Boca Raton, Fla., as the 37th Distinguished Alumnus at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Navy Supply Corps School on Prince Avenue.

Groundhog Walk planned on greenway
Athens-Clarke Leisure Services will host a Greenway Groundhog Walk at noon Tuesday, where participants will go out looking for the groundhogs that live along the greenway to see if they emerge from their burrows for Groundhog Day.

Bear Hollow to host Groundhog Day event
A Groundhog Day program scheduled at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail will feature Gus, the zoo's resident groundhog - if he'll come out long enough to predict whether we'll have six more weeks of winter.

Feds slam Georgia mental system
ATLANTA - Georgia's mental health system is in trouble again with federal authorities, who say seven state psychiatric centers remain unsafe and the state must do more to move the mentally ill into outpatient care.

South stares down ice, snow
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A storm that blanketed the South with snow Saturday had children eager to sled down hills, while grown-ups were warned to stay off slippery roads as officials worked to clear a mess of wrecks and downed power lines.

Applications sought for EMC scholarship
Jackson Electric Membership Corp. is taking applications for its 2010 Youth Citizenship Award for high school juniors or seniors whose volunteer work is aimed at improving the community.

Governor hopefuls will debate Tuesday
The state Democratic Party and the University of Georgia's College of Journalism and Mass Communication will sponsor a debate featuring the Democratic candidates for governor at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the South Auditorium, Psychology-Journalism Plaza.

The Week in Review
A look back at the top stories of the week in the Athens Banner-Herald and OnlineAthens.com.

Where do we start on bipartisan health care?
I've heard many people say it won't be possible to pass a bipartisan health care bill in today's poisoned environment. But we ultimately will have real health care reform in this country for a very simple reason: We have no choice, and both Democrats and Republicans understand that. More important, the American people know it.

Editorial: Shuffling funds from the lottery could hike taxes
As the Georgia legislature works amid an ongoing and serious economic downturn that finds lawmakers struggling to cope with a $1.2 billion shortfall in the current-year budget, and facing a similarly constrained budget for the coming fiscal year, the words "tax increase" have been studiously avoided.

Obama seems to have adjusted his game
The Barack Obama who faces the second year of his presidency has revealed himself, in his first State of the Union address, as a man who understands the political realities shaped in the first year and is adjusting to them.

Yarbrough: Time now ripe for a Georgia Tea Party
What this state needs is a good old-fashioned Tea Party. Not one directed at the liberal weenies in Washington who tried to ram health care reform down our throats. This protest needs to focus on the state of Georgia.

Tant: Zinn was historian who made history
Howard Zinn, the unabashedly "radical historian" whose book "A People's History of the United States" has sold more than 1 million copies and influenced millions of lives, died Wednesday in California at the age of 87. I was honored to have known him since 1997, when we met in Washington, D.C., at a birthday party for Vietnam veteran and anti-war activist Ron Kovic, author of "Born on the Fourth of July."

Random Thoughts: Party politics
I'm sick of presidents and governors being so tied to party affiliation that they can't clearly think for themselves and consider what others have to offer - which, in a nutshell, is why they will never succeed in bringing this country together.

Forum: An agenda to improve the South
Across the South, many state lawmakers seem to find it easier to deal with gay marriage or gator-hunting rules than serious reforms that would change an unfair tax system, or generate new and better jobs, or fix health care. Instead of solutions for addressing big problems, many Southern leaders today seem to kowtow to increasing partisanship and offer small sound bites for big problems.

Forum: 'Seeing is Believing' to showcase Clarke schools
When my daughter was born in 2005, I often was questioned about my decision to purchase a home in Athens-Clarke County. I was told a wide variety of stories that concerned me about the school district. I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried. In the middle of the night, I'd stare up at the ceiling wondering how I would ever sell my house if the stories were true.

Forum: Smokes and mirrors and budget woes
The Georgia General Assembly convened this year facing the daunting challenge of closing a billion-dollar budget hole, partly caused by the slumping economy and the consequent decrease in tax revenues. Few, if any, forecasters or policymakers foresaw a recession or revenue decline this sharp. Feckless Washington policymakers have exacerbated the problem by creating an uncertain investment climate for families and entrepreneurs.

Titans set school mark
BOGART - Blowouts and easy wins are nice, but North Oconee coach Donnie Byrom prefers nail-biters.

Glads teams hold off Cedar Shoals to extend streak in city rivalry
Despite a furious fourth-quarter comeback attempt by Cedar Shoals, the Clarke Central girls recorded a 49-41 Region 8-AAAA North victory before a packed house at Cedar Shoals on Saturday, posting their eighth consecutive victory and remaining undefeated in the subregion at 7-0.

Local Real Estate Firms Announce Merger Plans
Athens, GA - Local real estate firms ERA Classic City Realty and ERA United Realty of Atlanta have announced plans to merge operations, effective January 21, 2009. The combined firm will conduct business as ERA United Realty with offices located in Athens, Roswell, Marietta, Tucker, Conyers and Newnan.

Atlanta finishes sweep of Celtics
ATLANTA - Joe Johnson scored 16 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and the Atlanta Hawks beat Boston 100-91 on Friday night to complete their first season sweep of the Celtics in 11 years.

Imada leading by two strokes
SAN DIEGO - Phil Mickelson hit a drive into a eucalyptus tree that never came down. D.A. Point had a chip from 30 yards short of the flag that tumbled 20 yards over the green and into a hazard.

All eyes on Tebow
MOBILE, Ala. - Tim Tebow's position is set: He will play quarterback, and not the Wildcat version. Not tight end or H-back, either.

Former Bulldog tied for 1st
SAN DIEGO - D.A. Points saved his best golf for the tougher course Friday at Torrey Pines and wound up in a share of the lead with Ryuji Imada in the Farmers Insurance Open.

France family still committed as ever
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Jim France stood with other fans inside the busy garage area Thursday at the Daytona International Speedway watching teams make their final adjustments for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.

Relaxed Federer set for Murray in finals
MELBOURNE, Australia - Roger Federer decided the crowd didn't get quite enough value from his semifinal romp over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, so he worked on his comedy routine.

Kobe-LeBron Nike ad features gun language
NEW YORK - An advertisement featuring the NBA's two biggest superstars includes a gun reference, the same week two players were suspended for carrying firearms to the locker room.

Professor to sign book on Thursday
Joan Koonce, an associate professor at the University of Georgia, will autograph copies of her first book at 7 p.m. Thursday at Borders Bookstore, 196 Alps Road.

Conference to focus on climate issues
The University of Georgia School of Law will host a conference focusing on the relationship between human rights and climate change Feb. 12 at Dean Rusk Hall on North Campus.

UConn wins 60th straight game
PITTSBURGH - Tina Charles scored 24 points to become the sixth Connecticut player to reach 2,000 points in her career and the No. 1 Huskies coasted to their 60th consecutive victory, beating overwhelmed Pittsburgh 98-56 on Saturday.